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Computational Mechanics: Book Reviews

This document reviews a book about structural dynamics and computational modeling techniques. The book introduces numerical techniques for calculating natural frequencies, node shapes, and transient response. It also covers finite element modeling and complex frequency response representations. The book is well written with examples and applications.

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Abhinav
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54 views1 page

Computational Mechanics: Book Reviews

This document reviews a book about structural dynamics and computational modeling techniques. The book introduces numerical techniques for calculating natural frequencies, node shapes, and transient response. It also covers finite element modeling and complex frequency response representations. The book is well written with examples and applications.

Uploaded by

Abhinav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Structural Dynamics.

An Introduction to Computer
Book Reviews Methods
The UCSD Pascal Handbook R. Craig
Randy Clark and Stephen Koehler John Wiley and Sons, N.Y. 1981, 527 pp
Prentice-Hall Int., January 1982, £11.95,356 pp
UCSD Pascal is a particular implementation of the language This text emphasises the mathematical modelling of
'Pascal' by the University of California at San Diego, which structural dynamic problems using computational models.
is now available on many micro systems. The UCSD Pascal It reviews the basic principles of structural dynamics,
Handbook is a user manual, intended as an introduction to presenting solution techniques which apply to the various
this particular implementation and as a reference text for engineering disciplines.
more experienced users. The book specifically features:
The book begins with a brief history of the language
with particular reference to the development of UCSD • An introduction to numerical techniques for computing
natural frequencies and node shapes, and for calculating
Pascal, from its initial implementation at the University on
a Burroughs B6700 computer to its present position as part transient response.
• A systematic introduction to the use of finite elements
of the 'UCSD Pascal System' for micro-computers. The
remaining text is divided into two parts which are, a in structural dynamics.
• An application of complex frequency response represen-
definition of the language and a programmers guide. In
tations for the response of single and multi-degree of
defining this version of Pascal the usual convention of
freedom systems.
dividing the chapters according to the structural aspects of
the language such as Data Types, I n p u t - O u t p u t and Flow • An exposition of the node-displacement and node-
acceleration version of node superposition for comput-
of control is followed. However, by providing a brief
synopsis for readers new to Pascal and adopting a light ing dynamic response.
concise style the authors have provided a more than usually • An introduction to practical methods of component
mode systems for dynamic analysis.
readable introduction to the language and it's extensions
• An introduction to the matrix manipulation and finite
in the UCSD implementation.
The second part of the book is used to introduce the element computer code ISMIS (Interactive Structures
reader to the techniques of using UCSD Pascal, and presents and Index Interpretative System) for solving vibration
a number of complete, or nearly complete, programming problems. The same code and manual for the program
are offered by the author at a nominal fee.
examples. Chapters one to four of this section illustrate
topics that are essentially common to all Pascal program- The book is well written and has numerous examples
mers, whether they use UCSD Pascal, or some other dialect. and applications. In conjunction with the computer code
Whereas, the programs in chapters five to nine are more it is a very useful instructional book and one that could be
advanced, and present programming problems which are easily adopted for final years, Msc level courses.
essentially unique to UCSD Pascal, the UCSD Pascal
p-System and the micro-computer environment.
In conclusion, The UCSD Pascal Handbook is primarily a
'user manual' for users of the UCSD Pascal system.
However, the use of an easily readable style of writing and
the presentation of so many programming examples should
also make the book of interest to readers who wish to I
acquaint themselves with Pascal.

Software Maintenance Guidebook


Robert L. Glass and Ronald A. Noiseux COMPUTATIONAL
Prentice-Hall Inc., 193 pp
This book is one of the few available texts which deals MECHANICS
with the often neglected subject of software maintenance.
Having initially defined the place of maintenance within the
'software life cycle' the authors devote the largest part of
their book to the consideration of the administration and
performance of software maintenance. FINITE ELEMENT SYSTEMS
The first sections of this book are devoted to the A Handbook Second Edition
discussion of the role and importance of people in software
The finite e l e m e n t method has become, because of its versa-
maintenance. From this foundation the book moves on to tility, one of the most important tools used by en~neers. How-
discuss the tools and techniques which are available to the ever there are at present so many different finite element
maintainer, such as editors, compilers, linkers, reformatters, systems that intending users find it difficult to appreciate the
etc. Having developed the techniques necessary to perform advantages or disadvantages of a system for a particular pro-
blem that he wants to solve. This handbook contains descrip-
maintenance, the authors move on to consider the manage- tions of over 30 of the most well known finite elemenlls systems
ment aspects of the problem. They present an interesting, available plus some specialist systems. The capabilities and
if somewhat radical, treatment of management from facilities of the systems are described and examples of their use
given.
planning through to day-to-day organisation of user
support. Finally, the authors present a hypothetical A feature of the handbook is the tables providing essential
'Maintainers Diary' which helps to clarify many of the information on the elements provided in a system, the type of
concepts and distinctions raised in the text. material models available, which computer system the pro-
grams will run on, names and addresses of system providers,
The authors have managed to put together an interesting etc. The handbook also provides information on pre and post
and highly readable book on what is considered by many processing packages.
people to be a somewhat unglamorous subject. Material
This handbook is an essential reference book for engineers
presented in this book, including as it does a very complete who need up-to-date information on finite element systems
bibliography, would be considered as important reading for and who wish to select the most appropriate finite element
anyone involved in the development of computer programs system for their work.
in any discipline and makes it an excellent starting point 500 pp approx. Hardback 1983
for any serious appraisal of the topic.
£39.00
DavM Collington ~ I S B N 0 905451 14 7

56 Adv. Eng. Software, 1983, Vol. 5, No. 1

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